Public Health Perspectives of Preeclampsia in Developing Countries: Implication for Health System Strengthening

Abstract

Objectives. Review of public health perspectives of preeclampsia in developing countries and implications for health system strengthening. Methods. Literature from Pubmed (MEDLINE), AJOL, Google Scholar, and Cochrane database were reviewed. Results. The prevalence of preeclampsia in developing countries ranges from 1.8% to 16.7%. Many challenges exist in the prediction, prevention, and management of preeclampsia. Promising prophylactic measures like low-dose aspirin and calcium supplementation need further evidence before recommendation for use in developing countries. Treatment remains prenatal care, timely diagnosis, proper management, and timely delivery. Prevailing household, community, and health system factors limiting effective control of preeclampsia in these countries were identified, and strategies to strengthen health systems were highlighted. Conclusion. Overcoming the prevailing challenges in the control of preeclampsia in developing countries hinges on the ability of health care systems to identify and manage women at high risk.

Maternal & Perinatal outcome in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern India

“…At present, there is not a single reliable and cost-effective screening test for preeclampsia which can be recommended for use in most developing countries [5]. Although some studies on uterine artery Doppler and first-trimester maternal serum markers for early detection of preeclampsia have shown promise, there is not enough evidence to suggest their routine use in clinical practice, more so in resource poor settings [6][7][8].…”

Association of vitamin D deficiency with occurrence of pre eclampsia among inpatients of tertiary care centre, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

“…WHO estimates the incidence of preeclampsia to be seven times higher in developing countries (2.8% of live births) than in developed countries (0.4%). 1 various risk factors and preventive measures for pre eclampsia have been tested, still there are no definitive preventive measures.…”

Recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor 121 decreases vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in murine pre-eclampsia model placenta

“…Preeclampsia is still the main contributor to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. (1) The incidence of preeclampsia is 2-10% of all pregnancies in the world and according to the WHO is 7-fold greater in developing than in developed countries. (2) Preeclampsia is also associated with 10% of perinatal and neonatal causes of death.…”